I have a flight landing in Florence at 2:10 PM this Saturday. Need to get from the airport to a train to Vernazza that afternoon. How much time should I allow? Is there a bus that goes from the airport to the SMN train station? Trenitalia has a train at 3:28, 3:46, or 4:28 PM and I’m not sure which to book. (My niece was in Italy last summer and said they often booked a later train in their travels just to be safe, then went “standby” on an earlier train if they got there in time. True?)
I’d appreciate any advice!
Posted by
Chicago
8229 posts
From the airport I took a bus to SM Novella; it only takes about 25 minutes.
http://www.aeroporto.firenze.it/en/the-passengers/transport/bus.html
the 4:28 train would be Ideal to book but the flight may be delayed so book later or wait until you get there to buy the ticket.
Posted by
OP
7 posts
Jazz+Travels - I’d love to just buy the tickets when I get there. Do you think price will be about the same as online now?
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16206 posts
Don’t book anything.
All those trains are Regionale trains. Buy the tickets at the station. There is no advantage in buying Regionale tickets online. Those trains offer no discounts.
Also all those trains also stop at FIRENZE RIFREDI a secondary station, after SMN, which is closer to the airport. A taxi can take you there in less than 10 min, and there is no traffic from the airport to RIFREDI. Quick ride on Viale XI Agosto, the V.le Reginaldo Giuliani. I lived the first 7 years of my life 100 ft from the RIFREDI station, on Via dello Steccuto, it was my playground (I don’t even know how we are still alive, playing hide and seek between the train cars).
The train stops at FIRENZE RIFREDI five minutes after it departs from SMN.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
5653 posts
There is a bus. I think it goes twice per hour and takes about 30 min or so. Bus station is right beside the train station. Or take a taxi if you want to avoid having to wait for the bus. But also allow plenty of time to deplane and get out of the airport.
Your niece must have only been taking regional trains. Freccia trains require a seat reservation. I'd allow plenty of time in case your flight is late, there are traffic slowdowns getting into town, etc. I wouldn't count on getting there in time for anything earlier than the 4:28.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32398 posts
anne,
As Roberto suggested, the best option will be to take a Taxi from the airport to Rifredi. Once you arrive at the station, buy a ticket on the next train(s) to Vernazza, either from a Kiosk or staffed ticket office.
You might be able to connect with a 14:59 departure, arriving Vernazza at 18:13. That solution involves two changes in S. Stefano di Magra and La Spezia Centrale. Those trains are all Regionale trains so you must remember to validate your tickets in the machine prior to boarding the trains or you'll risk hefty fines which will be collected on the spot!